Imagine walking through the beautiful Eureka Springs Cemetery as night falls, guided by local actors who spent the past few months learning how to deliver their lines and embody their characters. Yes, it’s that time of year again.

Voices from Eureka’s Silent City, an annual fundraiser for the Eureka Springs Historical Museum, finishes its 2025 run with tours running Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24. The one-hour walking tours begin at 5:30 p.m. and leave every 20 minutes from the parking lot near A Cup of Love Ministry on Highway 62. The last tour leaves the parking lot at 8:30 p.m.

Historical museum director Jeff Danos said he’s excited about the theme this year. Called Dastardly Deeds and Untimely Demise, the tour focuses on people who passed away in interesting and mysterious ways. It’s dedicated to historical museum volunteer Debbie Quigley Smith, who passed away before finishing the script.

“It was neat that she was able to start putting together the script. She didn’t get to finish it, so we finished it for her,” Danos said. “We chose people for their stories, not necessarily for who they were.” In the past, Danos said, the tours focused on well-known people in the Eureka Springs area.

“It’s not those same types of people this year. We have everyday people who had, sadly enough, interesting stories as to how they passed away,” Danos said.

Danos credited the volunteers with making the event a success, saying they commit a large amount of time and energy to portray their characters. In addition to that, Danos said, the event is rain or shine. That means the volunteers could act in the rain or cold.

“We don’t take it lightly, the people that are willing to do this for us,” Danos said. “It is our single largest fundraiser for the museum. The fact that these volunteers are willing to dress up and come out here … it’s a lot to ask, and they’re truly dedicated.”

He added, “There’s really no way to thank them enough for what they do for us. It’s a big deal.”

Volunteer Chris Ritthaler is honored to take part in the event, saying he understands how important the fundraiser is for the museum.

“We have two fundraisers each year, and this is our second one,” Ritthaler said. “These are the only ways the museum raises money. We get no city, county, federal or state funds.”

Volunteer Keith Brenton is returning for a “fourth or fifth” year to help with the fundraiser. While supporting the museum is his main joy, the camaraderie he’s found among the other actors is a close second.

“The museum is an unparalleled resource for this town. To have that much information available in such an easily accessible way … it’s just irreplaceable,” he said. “And the tour is a fun opportunity to be somebody you’re not for a little while. At 70 years old, you don’t get many opportunities like this anymore.”

Volunteer Juss Wade agreed.

“You work with a great variety of people all doing this gratis,” Wade said.

Danos encouraged everyone to get to the parking lot between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The event has grown in popularity over the years, Danos said, and there’s a chance visitors won’t see the tour if the line is too long at 8 p.m.

“There’s only so many hours we can pack in at the end of the night,” Danos said. “Please be patient with us and consider arriving early, because it will help us out.”

Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children under 12. They are available for purchase at the historical museum, CS Bank locations or online at ESHmuseum. org/tickets. Tickets may also be purchased at the parking lot on the performance dates. There are no reserved tickets.

“Thank you for giving us the opportunity to share our history,” Danos said. “Thank you for trusting us to be the stewards of our hometown history.”

For more information, contact the museum at info@eshmuseum. org or call 479-253– 9417.